Download Lightning Surge Suppression in Residential Systems

TECHNICAL BRIEF
Lightning and Surge Suppression in Residential Systems
Although not common, transient voltage surges and/or lightning strikes can occur anywhere.
Following the guidelines presented here will help minimize any surge or lightning related issues
with your Enphase solar installation.
Enphase Microinverters, like all electrical components, can be damaged by lightning strikes or
voltage surges from the electrical grid. For this reason, Enphase recommends that you protect
your system with lightning and/or surge suppression devices. In addition to having some level of
surge suppression, it is important to have insurance that protects against lightning and electrical
surges.
Enphase Microinverters have integral surge protection that is more robust than most traditional
inverters. However, if the surge has sufficient energy, the protection built into the microinverter
can be exceeded and the equipment may be damaged.
There is a wide range of devices that can be installed with a wide range of warranties available
from the equipment manufacturers. Though Enphase cannot warrant or guarantee the
performance of any of these products, this document recommends some specific lightning
protection and surge suppression devices.
Lightning Protection
A lightning arrestor is a device that diverts a portion of the energy from a lightning strike to
earth, using a site grounding system. More advanced lightning protection systems also
dissipates electrical charges from the building, lowering the chance of experiencing a lightning
strike.
A lightning strike does not actually need to strike the equipment or building where a PV system
is installed to cause damage. A strike on or near to the electric grid can induce voltage spikes
that can damage equipment.
Surge Suppression
Surge suppression devices protect site loads from lightning and electrical surges and can be
installed in parallel or in-line. A panel level surge suppressor interrupts the circuit and isolates
equipment from the source of the surge.
A whole-house surge suppression system generally consists of in-line devices and surge
suppressors. These systems are the most robust, but can be expensive and cost prohibitive.
Enphase Recommended Devices
Since the Enphase Limited Warranty does not cover “acts of God” such as lightning strikes, and
since lightning strikes can occur anywhere, it is best practice to install surge protection as part
of any solar installation. Enphase recommend the following protection devices. These have been
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2013 Enphase Energy. All rights reserved.
April 2013
Lightning Surge Suppressionin Residential Systems
tested to ensure that they do not interfere with Enphase power line communications, but most
devices should work fine. Install per vendor instructions.
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Citel DS72-RS-120 surge protector; data sheet
Delta LA-302 lightning arrestor; website
Leviton 51110 or 51110-001; whole house surge protection panel; website
Midnight solar surge protection device MNSPD-300 or MNSPD-300FM (with flush mount
box); website
The protection device is usually wired to the load center, but mounted in a separate box as
shown. Install per vendor instructions.
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2013 Enphase Energy. All rights reserved.
April 2013